That's the thing about Wildflower. You don't get out of it with out the experience of it. It's not just a race you show up to, race it, and go home with a shiny medal and a T-shirt. You walk away with so many memories, not just of the race, but of the entire event and all that surrounds it. Wildflower was one of the hardest races I have done, but it was also one of the best races I have been to.
Months ago, my sister Michelle had started raising money for me to do another big event. Thanks to her, and some very generous donations I was able to sign up for Wildflower. Jeff must have been feeling very generous, because he donated himself as well. He signed up to do the Long Course too! And then we were off to train! It was a huge help that we were both training for it. When I had done Ironman, it had strained our relationship some, as I was always gone training. Everything had revolved around Ironman. But with us BOTH doing it, we were able to support one another and share it every day. We encouraged each other, we understood what the other was dealing with. Overall, it really grew our relationship for the better. Oh, and Easton. He trained us both. He ran with one of us almost every day. He made me a better runner, for sure!
Coach Easton making sure I log those miles!
There were obstacles along the way. I separated my shoulder in a bike crash. I had no desire to ride outside for months. Thankfully, Jeff was very supportive and helped ease me back into road riding, but it has been a journey, and I am still a total chicken downhill. Along with the reluctance to ride outside, I also couldn't swim. Going into Wildflower, I hadn't done more than 2000 meters, and even that was a struggle. But what I have learned about myself is what I lack in physical ability I make up for in mental strength. So I was really banking on some heart and courage out there!
Heading up to Wildflower, I was nervous but excited. I am a real creature of habit, so it's hard for me to leave my home, my animals, my controlled environment. But I was really looking forward to whatever Wildflower had in store for us! Our friends had showed up on Wednesday, so we had a spot saved for us to camp right next to them. Upon arrival, we realized that we had no idea how to set up our tent. It was one we hadn't used before, and thanks to some help we did manage to get that beast up, but quickly discovered the door's zipper was broken!! HA! For the rest of our trip, we had to crawl out of the tent. But when you get there, a lot of things just don't matter any more. You are surrounded by all this beauty. And the people we were with were just awesome. In fact, everyone you meet up there is awesome. I'm not sure how that works, but it's a true statement.
The day of the race, surprisingly, I was not that nervous. I think I know that by the day of the race, all I needed to do(or needed to do and wasn't able to do), is done. Now, all I can control is HOW I live the day. I know I will struggle. I know I will not give up. So you just get in the water and you don't stop until you finish. You break it off into small portions and that's how you get through it. So, I got in the water, and despite my lack of training, I managed to pull off a 34 minute swim. 1.2 miles. Not too shabby. The lake was gorgeous. I never got uncomfortable. No one beat me up or swam over me. And when someone grabbed my legs, I kicked. Hey. Don't grab my legs. We all have a fear of drowning, on some level! Out of the water, you run up a huge ramp and you get your shoes on to run to your bike transition. It's a weird feeling, and it makes the race that much more challenging, but that's what Wildflower is about!
Jeff and I pre race
I felt great getting on my bike. I knew this would be my favorite part. Cycling is my thing. I LOVE it. And I LOVE hills!! Uphill, that is. And Wildflower is known for being extremely challenging. I was up for it. Let it be known, that I have never, once, gone on to my small ring. And, yes, I only have two in the front. Big and small. Never. Not once. I have done Great Western Loop on my big ring. I have done Cabrillo, and Soledad, and Alpine, and Honey Springs, and Fury, and all those challenging hills in San Diego on my big ring. And so I knew I was prepared. But I was not. Wildflower smacked me right across the face and handed me some of the biggest hills I have faced. And I had no idea how to get into my small ring! I had to pull over to the side of the road to figure it out! But, thank G-d for that small ring! I'm not telling you about the big ring to brag, I'm not. I'm telling you so that you know exactly HOW hard that bike is. It is a humbling, rewarding, challenging bike course. If you don't have hair on your chest, you will grow some after that ride! But it's really hard to feel like you are struggling with the beauty you are surrounded by.
So, you get off your bike and your legs are toast and then you are presented with a run. And it's not a "run." It's a trail run. And after that bike, it's hot and you are depleted. I decided to eat some pretzels while I walked out of transition. Poor life decision. And at that very moment I hear Bob Babbitt screaming, "Go Coeur!!" And I am walking. Major fail. I got my butt in gear real quickly after that! But despite the fact that I am a trail runner, not a road runner, I found myself walking up most of the hills. I have never walked in a race. But this is Wildflower, my friends! I ran into a girl a couple miles in. We chatted and then vowed to finish the race together. She was a G-dsend. We pushed one another, supported each other and we crossed that finish line together! What a win for women in triathlon. That's how you do it. You stick together!! And when we crossed that finish line, they put a nice cool towel on your back and they give you strawberries. Best strawberries ever. Ever.
When you finish Wildflower, if it doesn't finish you first, you are in a little blur. Maybe it's part dehydration, and part disbelief of what you just accomplished, but I was just in my own little world for a bit. Did that just happen? How did I not die? Is this a real thing? Where am I? Where's Jeff??? I wandered around the expo for a while where everyone you meet is your best friend, and then did manage to partially stumble/float my way to the finish line for the best part of the day: Jeff crossing the finish line!! Proudest wife. That man trained every day he planned to. He was so determined and he is proof that if you set your mind and heart to something, you can do it!
After the race. Wine never tasted so good!
My Coeur kit was awesome and I hardly notice it at all. I was thankful for the pockets to carry my stuff and the material kept me cool(as cool as you could be on a hot day!) There was no chafing and everything stayed put. I have the tan lines to prove it! Along with the Coeur kit, there was a great support system of Coeur girls!!! They really are the best and you automatically feel like they are your sisters. I used Picky Bars and my own homemade granola bars on the course, along with Osmo for hydration. All in all, I was very happy with my race. It was my first 70.3(I've done Sprints and an Ironman) and it was a distance I really enjoyed. I finished in 6:37, and placed 19th in a group of about 65 women. I am looking forward to doing it again, training appropriately, and kicking some Wildflower butt next year!!
Coeur kit was a huge part of ensuring a great race. www.coeursports.com
I'm seeing that this is turning into a novel, so let me wrap this up. I could write so much more, because so much more happened. I will say this, Wildflower is no joke. Not for the faint of heart. If you are physically a strong triathlete, this is a great challenge for you. But what you need to pack a lot of is heart and courage. You will need to be physically strong, but you will also need to be stubborn, relentless, and tough. It will be one of the hardest tris you ever do, but you will walk away with great friends, great memories, and the experience of a lifetime. Oh, and a sunburn. You will walk away with an awful sunburn. Wear your SPF!
Yes, I wore sunscreen. No, it wasn't enough.
After a luxurious swim in the lake.
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